Modular medication inhaler

Abstract

A medication inhaler is provided having a cylindrical body usable with different inlet and outlet fittings at the opposite ends thereof. An inlet end fitting is provided with inner and outer cylindrical flanges gripping the upstream end of the cylindrical body and adapted to receive structure for misting medication into said cylindrical body. The downstream or outlet end fitting snaps over the downstream end of the cylindrical body and is provided with an axially extending protrusion impinging against and securing a flexible diaphragm to an inwardly directed flange at the exit end of the cylindrical body. The outlet end fitting may take different forms such as a mouthpiece to fit into a patient's mouth, a mask to fit over a patient's mouth and nose, or a connection for flexible tubing leading to an endotracheal tube.

We claim: 
     
       1. A modular medication inhaler comprising a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation and having an upstream entering end and a downstream exit end and open at both ends, an integral inwardly directed peripheral flange at the exit end transverse of said axis of rotation, said flange having an outer surface a fitting on the entering end adapted to receive structure for applying misted medication into said cylindrical body, a flexible diaphragm at said exit end and having a slit therein, said diaphragm flexing and opening said slit upon inhalation for passing air and medication, and a fitting at the exit end of said cylindrical body and secured to said body, said exit end fitting having an outer cylindrical flange snugly encircling said cylindrical body on the exterior of said body, an inwardly directed flange transverse of said axis, and arcuate protruberance means on said inwardly directed fitting flange engaging said diaphragm adjacent the periphery thereof and inwardly of said cylindrical body and clamping said diaphragm against the outer surface of said inwardly directed peripheral flange, and further including retaining means on said cylindrical body, comprising means providing a plurality of apertures arcuately spaced in said cylindrical body and said exit end integral inwardly directed flange and defining retaining edges on said flange, and a plurality of inwardly directed teeth on said exit end fitting cylindrical flange snapped over said retaining means and securing said exit end fitting on said cylindrical body.   
     
     
       2. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular protruberance comprises a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       3. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said exit fitting has an axially extending tubular member on the downstream thereof adapted to receive flexible tubing leading to an endotracheal tube. 
     
     
       4. A modular mediation inhaler as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tubular member comprises a pair of concentric tubes of differing diameter for receiving tubing of different sizes. 
     
     
       5. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said exit end fitting has a wall extending inwardly from said cylindrical flange, said wall having a plurality of apertures therein respectively adjacent the teeth and imparting enhanced flexibility to said teeth. 
     
     
       6. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 1 and further including a spider coplanar with said peripheral flange and extending inwardly therefrom, said spider backing the slit in said diaphragm and preventing exhalation through said cylindrical body. 
     
     
       7. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 6 wherein said exit fitting has an axially extending mouthpiece adapted to be received in the human mouth. 
     
     
       8. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said entering end fitting has an inlet tubular member extending upstream and adapted to receive an air/oxygen supply tube, and lateral inlet means on said tubular member for receiving a measured dose dispenser. 
     
     
       9. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 8 wherein said inlet means comprises a well extending into said tubular member. 
     
     
       10. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 9 wherein said entering end fitting has an opening therein to receive the holder for a measured dose dispenser, and means on said entering end fitting extending axially into said cylindrical body adapted to brace a measured dose inhaler holder, said brace means comprising a plurality of axially extending flanges. 
     
     
       11. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 10 wherein said flanges are interconnected by walls which with said flanges define box-like bracing structure surrounding said opening at least in part.